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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Autism Awareness

I don't know a lot about autism. My entire exposure is limited to a boy that I knew growing up who was very strange, and a little girl that I used to babysit who had seizures and I was taught how to roll her on her side to keep her from "swallowing her tongue". I've seen lots of articles about autism, many friends have posted, some acquaintances on Facebook have autistic children - but I didn't really know what it was! Here is a good description from The Autism Society of America:

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.Know the Signs: Early Identification Can Change Lives
Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes.

The puzzle pattern reflects the mystery and complexity of the autism spectrum. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope—hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and appropriate treatments, people with autism will lead fuller, more complete lives.